Is South Burlington expensive to live in?

South Burlington is among the most expensive of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,533 per month ranks #19 of 158 and is 47% higher than the $1,043 median.

What is the average rent in South Burlington?

Average rent in South Burlington, VT runs a studio around $1,557, a one-bedroom around $1,533, a two-bedroom around $1,805, a three-bedroom around $2,356 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in South Burlington?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,533 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $61,000 a year. The median household income here is $97,229.

How much does it cost to live in South Burlington per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in South Burlington is about $1,790 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in South Burlington, VT

Population 20,488 · Vermont

~$1,790/mo est.1BR $1,533Home $399,600

Compare with:

The cost of living in South Burlington, VT is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,533 a month — 47% higher than the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,557 and two-bedrooms $1,805.

Median household income here is $97,229, 44% higher than the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,790 before food and transport. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,533

Studio

$1,557

1 Bedroom

$1,533

2 Bedroom

$1,805

3 Bedroom

$2,356

Buying a Home$399,600

Median Home Value

$399,600

Income$97,229

Median Household Income

$97,229

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,020

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesNortheast

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.92

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

Average prices, Northeast (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities24.4¢/kWh

Electricity

24.4¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$26.07/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal

Regular Gasoline (East Coast (PADD 1))

$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (VT)6% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 8.75%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime239.4 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

239.4

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

4,446

FBI Crime Data Explorer, South Burlington Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 38.8 yrs

Median Age

38.8 yrs

Homeownership

60.1%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

65.1%

Avg Commute

18.9 min

Climate46.0°F

Avg Annual Temperature

46.0°F

Annual Precipitation

36.8 in

South Burlington cost of living — FAQ

Is South Burlington expensive to live in?: South Burlington is among the most expensive of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,533 per month ranks #19 of 158 and is 47% higher than the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in South Burlington?: Average rent in South Burlington, VT runs a studio around $1,557, a one-bedroom around $1,533, a two-bedroom around $1,805, a three-bedroom around $2,356 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in South Burlington?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,533 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $61,000 a year. The median household income here is $97,229.
How much does it cost to live in South Burlington per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in South Burlington is about $1,790 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare South Burlington with nearby cities

South Burlington vs Burlington South Burlington vs Rutland South Burlington vs Concord South Burlington vs Manchester South Burlington vs Nashua South Burlington vs Lewiston

Nearby cities

Burlington, VT 2 mi Rutland, VT 60 mi Concord, NH 119 mi Manchester, NH 133 mi Nashua, NH 145 mi Lewiston, ME 148 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.